Government spending is out of control and President Obama’s method of throwing more money at our economy is not working. Federal spending cuts need to start somewhere, and there is no better place than a program that can survive on its own.

American taxpayers are subsidizing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to the tune of over $420 million dollars in 2010 alone. CPB is the parent company of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and the National Public Radio (NPR) radio networks.

CPB has even requested $608 million for their next funding cycle that begins in 2013. Congress continues to appropriate funding to the CPB well beyond the rate of inflation: over the past decade, funding for public broadcasting has risen over 26%.

That is serious money.

My bill will amend the Communications Act of 1934 to end all federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting after fiscal year 2012.

It is time for Congress to prioritize its spending to our nation’s most pressing needs. With the national debt over $13 trillion dollars, the government cannot afford to give handouts to corporations on a silver platter any longer.

It may not seem like a lot of money out of a $13 trillion dollar national debt. But if we don’t take the low-hanging fruit, then where else will we save the money? If we are going to get our deficit under control, we have to make tough choices.

Although CPB is a private, non-profit organization that raises its own funds through other sources, over 13% of its total income is taxpayer money. While the Corporation for Public Broadcasting airs several quality programs, it is perfectly capable of standing on its own two feet and not on the financial shoulders of the American taxpayers.

Furthermore, federal funding for CPB is no longer relevant. The intent of federally-funded public broadcasting in the Public Broadcasting Act was to make “telecommunications services available to all citizens of the United States” (47 U.S.C. 396). Today, over 99% of Americans own a TV and over 95% have access to the Internet. Government-funded broadcasting is now completely unnecessary in a world of 500-channel cable TV and cell phone internet access.

All over the place, from the popular culture to the propaganda system, there is constant pressure to make people feel that they are helpless, that the only role they can have is to ratify decisions and to consume.

With all due respect, American taxpayers are subsidizing the Congress to the tune of trillions of dollars in 2010 alone. The Congress is the parent company of America's corporations.

Congress continues to tax US citizens well beyond the rate of inflation..

That is serious mismanagement.

I propose a bill that will do away with the Congress. It is time for citizens to prioritize our spending to our nation’s most pressing needs. With the national debt over $13 trillion dollars, citizens cannot afford to give handouts to the Congress on a silver platter any longer. Let their corporate supporters do that.

It may not seem like a lot of money out of a $13 trillion dollar national debt. But if we don’t vote out the low-hanging fruit, then where else will we save the money? If we are going to get our deficit under control, we have to make tough choices like the multiple wars. As an imperialistic nation, let's fight only one war at a time to save money.

Although the Congress acts like a private club that raises its own funds through corporate sources, a lot of its basic revenues for salaries and and the beast in benefits packages begin with our taxpayer money. While the Congress takes several vacations, it is perfectly capable of standing on its own two feet most of the year and not on the financial shoulders of the American taxpayers.

Furthermore, federal funding for the Congress is no longer relevant. The intent of taxpayer funding was to make “representation available to all citizens of the United States”. Today, no non-corporate citizens have access to their members of Congress. Government-funded legislation is now completely unnecessary in a world of Fortune 500 access.

Congressman Doug Lamborn represents himself and was sent to the Congress by the monied interests of Colorado’s Fifth Congressional District. How sad, with all due respect.

Dear,Mr.Lamborn I am a Colorado native and layed-off due to company moved from CO. to CA.(Cocks Warehouse) to save the company money.I have put countless apps.in with no luck at this time, I am being told to wait 1-2 months then check back.My wife also cant find work,we dont want to lose our house we have worked hard all our lives.Please pass federal extension bill to buy Americans time, so we can find jobs and get USA back to normal..We are in our fiftys and really need this help to survive.Thank,You Gary and Bernadette Colbruno..

Don’t have time to read the Washington Post or New York Times? Then get The Morning Bell, an early morning edition of the day’s most important political news, conservative commentary and original reporting from a team committed to following the truth no matter where it leads.

Email address

Ever feel like the only difference between the New York Times and Washington Post is the name? We do. Try the Morning Bell and get the day’s most important news and commentary from a team committed to the truth in formats that respect your time…and your intelligence.